Baby bathing support



March 11, 1958 E. TOWNSLEY 2,825,911

' BABY BATHING SUPPORT Filed Nov 1, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR March11, 1958 E. TOWNSLEY 1 2,825,911

BABY BATHING SUPPORT Filed Nov. 1. 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ESTHERTOWNSLEY Un te BABY BATHIN G SUPPORT Esther Townsley, North Vancouver,British Columbia, Canada 7 This. ihventionreljates to a device forsupporting a baby while it is being bathed.

An object of the present invention is the provision of "a baby. bathingsupport which will hold babies of all sizes, and which is so constructedthat it is impossible for the baby to bang itself against any metalpart.

7 Another object is the provision of a baby bathing suppan having afabric covering that is so supported that it ban sag longitudinallythereof so that it functions somewhat like a hammock.

I A further objectis the provision of a baby supporting device having afabric covering which may be quickly and easily removed for storage,cleaning and/or replac 1 I There have been a number of devices inventedfor holding a baby while it'is being bathed. However, none genie-Se isin general use, and one of the reagons for this is "that'they usuallyconsist of a frame for supporting a ifa'bri'cat the'sides thereof. Thismade it possible for the baby to hurthit'nself by banginghimself againstthe metal frame,and"thelatter kept the fabric in a stretched conditionso that'it was comparatively easy for the baby to iollfoif. 'In otherwords, the prior devices for this purpose were not reall practical.

The bathing support according to this invention elim inates allthesedifficulties. It includes a'frame for supporting a rectangular fabric'cover only at the corners thereof. As the covering is not supportedalong its sides,

is free to sag along its longitudinal centre so that it ftiifnisa pocketwhich prevents the baby from rolling laterall'y. Furthermore, the babycannot come into contact the frame atthe sides of the device.Furthermore, the frame is designed so that the baby cannot tench it atthe lower'or foot end thereof and this is particularly important becauseeven very young babies can and do kick their feet about. The mainframeincludes ahead frame for supporting a head section projecting from thefabric covering. Examples of this invention are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which,

Figure- 1 is a perspective view'of one form of bathing support withparts thereof broken away,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 2-2 efFigure 1,

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line 3-3 ofFigure 1, Figure 4 is'a perspective view of another form of bathinsupport,

line -"-5 of Figure 4,'and F1gu"re 6 is an enlarged fragmentarysectional view t'algenon thelin'e 6-6 of Figure 4.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, 10 generally designates abathing support made up of a main framell for supporting a covering12formed of a suit: able fabric, such as canvas, nylon or the like. Theframe may be formed of any suitable material, but it is preferablyformedjof 'a heavy wire constructed of material tent ure 5 'i salongitudinal sectional view taken on the a that will not rust in water,or coated against rusting. The frame may also be dipped in a rubber orplastic coating material.

In the preferred form of the invention, the frame includes spaced sidemembers 16 and 17. One end of the member 1'6 has. an upright 20connected thereto and extending. downwardly therefrom, while theopposite end of said member has an upright 21 connected thereto andextending upwardlytherefrom. Similarly, one end of side member17 has-anupright 25 extending downwardly therefrom, while its opposite end has anupright 26 extending upwardly therefrom. A foot connector 29 extendsbetween and is connected to the foot uprights 20 and 25 spaced below'theupper ends thereof. In this example, the connector is connected to thelower ends of theuprights so that it combines; with the latter to form awide U-.

Projections 32 and 33 are connected to the upper end of uprights 20 and25 respectively, and project outwardly therefrom on the opposite sidethereof from the side members 16 and 17. These projections may be formedin any desired manner. In this example, the wire forming the sidemembers is bent back on itself to form the projection, and thendownwardly to form the foot up rights. The same piece of wire extendsbetween the lower ends of these uprights to form the foot connector 29.

The head frame generally designated by the numeral 38 is provided atone. end of the main frame 11. This head frame includes end sections 39and 40 connected to and extending inwardly a short distance from theupper ends of uprights 21 and 26, side pieces 42 and '43 extendingoutwardly from said end sections substantially parallel with the sidemembers, and a head connector 45 extending between the outer. ends ofthese side pieces. It is preferable to make this head connector U-shapedwith the upper ends of its sides 46 and 47 connected to the outer endsof the side pieces 42 and 43 respectively,

From the description so far it will be seen that the main and headframes may be formed from a single piece of wire. The wire forming theside members 16 and 17 may be bent upwardly to form the uprights 21 and26, inwardly to form the end sections 39 and 40, outwardly 'to form theside pieces 42 and 43, downwardly to. form the sides 46 and 47, andacross to form the connector 45.

The fabric covering 12 is folded over on itself at its foot end 50 toform a pocket 51 extending across said end. The folded. over portion ofthe fabric may be removably held in position at each end in any suitablemanner, such as by dome fasteners 53. This construction provides apocket at each corner of the covering at its end 50 into which theprojections 32 and 33 of the frame 11 extend, see Figure 2. 7

When the covering 12 is supported by the frame 11, 'a. portion 56 ateach side thereof adjacent its head end 57 is folded downwardly to formone'side of a pocket, the other side of which is formed by a strip ofmaterial '59 which extends around the upright 21 or 26. The strip 59 isremovably connected to the adjacent portion 56 by one or more domefasteners 60, or any other suitable connecting means. T hus,-'the upperend of each of the uprights 21 or 26 fits in a pocket at theadjacentcornerof the fabric covering.

A head section 65 is formed with and extends outwardly from the head end:37 of the covering 12. This head section preferably has a portion 66which is folded back underneath said section toform a pocket 67 in whichthe side pieces 42 and 43 and the connector 45 removablly fit. The sidepieces actually. extend along .thesides of the pocket-so that in-effectthe-sides of the head section are connected thereto. It will be notedthat there is no. metal between the inner ends of the end sections 39and,

.40, as indicated at 68, and no metal between the outer or free ends ofthe side pieces 42 and 43, as indicated at 69. It will be noted that thecovering 12 is supported only at each of its four corners by .the mainframe 11. The

head sectionj65 of this covering is supported along its opposite sidesby the side pieces of the head frame. When the weight of a baby isplaced on the covering 12 with its head resting on the head section, thefabric is free to sag longitudinally and centrally of the device. Thisis particularly true of the covering 12 since the latter is notconnected to anything throughout the length of its sides. Furthermore,the covering is not connected to the frame throughout the length of itsfoot end 50. Thus, a baby cannot strike the frame along the foot of thedevice or either side thereof. The main portion of the side members 16and 17 are positioned below the covering.

If desired, a strip 70 of stretchable material, such as fabric orelastic, may extend between the projections 32 and 33. In this example,the strip is in the form of an endless band which fits over theprojections, as clearly shown in Figure 1. This strip resilientlysupports the foot end of the covering so that a baby cannot be harmed bykicking it, and yet it helps to prevent the baby from sliding downwardlyoff the foot end of the device.

Similarly, a strip 73 of stretchable or resilient material, such asfabric or elastic, may extend between the inner ends of the side pieces42 and 43 of the head frame. This may be in the form of an endless band,as shown, which may he slipped on over said side pieces. This provides aflexible support beneath the part over which the neck of a baby wouldlie. This permits the head section of the covering to form a shallowpocket for the head, while the strip 73 will tend to prevent the headand, consequently, the baby from slipping downwardly on the maincovering 12.

By referring to Figures 1 and 2, it will be seen that uprights 21 and 26are higher than uprights 20 and 25. This makes the covering 12 slopedownwardly slightly from its head end 57 to its foot end 50. If desired,the side pieces 42 and 43 may slope downwardly slightly in the oppositedirection from the inner ends of the end sections 39 and 40, as shown inFigure 2. This causes the babys head to hang down slightly relative toits body.

The form of the invention illustrated in Figures 4 to 6 is only slightlydifferent from that described above. This alternative includes a mainframe 11a and a fabric covering 12a with its head section 65a fittingover the head frame 38a.

The only difference in the main frame is that the upper ends of uprights21a and 26a are not connected directly to the end sections 39a and 40a,respectively. These end sections have been shifted outwardly and areconnected to the upper ends of the uprights by short extensions 80 and81. Actually, the parts 39a80 and 4011-81 form projections extendingoutwardly from the main frame at the corners thereof opposite theprojections 32a and 33a.

The fabric covering 12a is bent over on itself to form a pocket 84 alongthe foot end 50a thereof. The sides of the bentover strip have been sewnor otherwise secured to the sides of the main portion of the covering,as indicated at 85. In this example, the pocket 67a of the head section65a has been lengthened and broadened to form lateral extensions 88 intowhich the projections 39a8(9 and 40a81 fit. This eliminates thenecessity of the portions 56 and the parts associated therewith at eachside of the covering.

The bathing support of Figures 4 to 6 functions in the same manner asthat of Figures 1 to 3. The projections 32a and 33a fit in the oppositeends of the pocket 84 at the corners of the foot end of the covering,while the projections 3912-459 and Mia-81 fit into the pockets 88 at theopposite corners of said covering. This makes it very easy to remove andreplace the covering.

A sling 90 has been provided for use with either form of this invention,although it is only illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. This sling includesa relatively long strap 92 which is adapted to extend beneath the headframe 38a and downwardly over the covering 12a. The ends of this strapare connected by a seat portion 93 formed of a suitable piece of fabricwhich is folded to provide a pocket 94.

The sling is provided for abnormally small babies. As very short babieswould be located near the head end 57a of the covering, they may not sagthe latter sufficiently to keep them from rolling off. In this case, thesling 90 is used and the baby more or less seated in the pocket 94thereof so that it cannot slip down the covering and is not likely toroll laterally thereon.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A baby bathing support comprising a main frame having spaced sidemembers, a head frame connected to adjacent ends of the side membersextending inwardly therefrom a short distance and then outwardly and inclined downwardly a little substantially parallel with said members, asubstantially rectangular fabric covering, means on the frame forsupporting the covering at the four corners thereof, and a head sectionprojecting from the covering over the head frame secured to the latterat opposite sides thereof, said covering head section being inclineddownwardly relative to the remainder of the covering, and said sidemembers being spaced below the corresponding sides of the covering,whereby the covering sags towards the longitudinal centre thereof whensupporting a baby and the latter cannot bang against the side members.

2. A baby bathing support comprising a main frame having spaced sidemembers, an upright connected to each end of both members, a footconnector extending between and connected to the uprights of adjacentends of the side members below the upper ends of said uprights, a headframe connected to the upper ends of the other uprights; said head framecomprising end sections connected to and extending inwardly a shortdistance from the uprights, side pieces extending outwardly from the endsections substantially parallel with the side members, and a headconnector extending between the outer ends of said side pieces; asubstantially rectangular fabric covering connected to the frame only atits four corners, and a head section projecting from the covering overthe head frame secured to the side pieces thereof, the side members andthe foot connector being spaced below the sides and an end of thecovering, whereby said covering sags towards the longitudinal centrethereof when supporting a baby with its head on the head section andsaid baby cannot bang against the side members and foot connector. 7

3. baby bathing support as claimed in claim 2 in which the headconnector is U-shaped with the upper ends of its sides connected to theouter ends of the side pieces, and the head section of the coveringextends downwardly over and is secured to said connector.

4. A baby bathing support comprising a U-shaped foot connector, a sidemember connected to the top of each side of the foot connector andextending outwardly and downwardly therefrom, an upright connected tothe opposite end of each side member, a head frame connected to theupper ends of the uprights; said head frame comprising end sectionsconnected to and extending inwardly a short distance from the uprights,side pieces extending outwardly from the end sections substantiallyparallel with the side members, and a head connector extending betweenthe outer ends of said pieces; a substantially rectangular fabriccovering connected to the frame only at its four corners, and a headsection projecting from the covering over the head frame secured to theside pieces thereof, whereby the covering is free of the frame at thesides and the foot connector thereof and between the inner ends of theend sections.

5. A baby bathing support as claimed in claim 4 in which the headsection of the covering is in the form of a pocket which slips on overthe head connector and side pieces of the head frame.

6. A baby bathing support as claimed in claim 4 including a projectionextending outwardly from the upper end of each side of the U-shaped footconnector away from the side member connected thereto, and the fabriccovering has a pocket at each of its corners, one pocket fitting overeach of said projections and one pocket fitting over each upright at theopposite end of the frame.

7. A baby bathing support as claimed in claim 4 in which the headconnector is U-shaped with the upper ends of its sides connected to theouter ends of the side pieces, and the head section of the covering isin the form of a pocket which slips on over the head connector and theside pieces of the head frame.

8. In a baby bathing support, a substantially rectangular frame formedof heavy wire comprising spaced side members, foot uprights extendingdownwardly from adjacent ends of the members, head uprights extendingupwardly from the opposite ends of the members, a foot connectorextending between and connected to the foot uprights beneath the upperends thereof, and a head frame connected to the upper ends of the headuprights; said head frame comprising end sections connected to andextending inwardly a short distance from the uprights, side piecesextending outwardly and downwardly from the end sections substantiallyparallel with the side members, and a head connector extending betweenthe outer ends of said side pieces.

9. A baby bathing support as claimed in claim 8 in which the headconnector is U-shaped with the upper ends of its sides connected to theouter ends of the side pieces.

10. A baby bathing support as claimed in claim 8 including a stretchablestrip extending between and removably connected to the side pieces nearthe end sections.

6 11. A baby bathing support comprising a main frame having spaced sidemembers, a head frame connected to adjacent ends of the side membersextending inwardly therefrom a short distance and then outwardly andinclined downwardly a little substantially parallel with said members, asubstantially rectangular fabric covering, means on the frame forsupporting the covering at the four corners thereof, and a head sectionprojecting from the covering over the head frame secured to the latterat opposite sides thereof, said covering head section being inclineddownwardly relative to the remainder of the covering, a sling removablyconnected to the head frame and extending inwardly, said sling having aflexible pocket therein spaced inwardly from the head frame, and saidside members being spaced below the corresponding sides of the covering,whereby the covering sags toward the longitudinal centre thereof whensupporting a baby and the latter cannot bang against the side members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS962,970 Musselman June 28, 1910 1,133,114 Elfenbein Mar. 23, 19152,461,744 Lafield Feb. 15, 1949 2,491,223 Stedlman Dec. 23, 19492,495,482 Rogatz Jan. 24, 1950 2,507,848 Bashaw May 16, 1950 2,535,259Boyington Dec. 26, 1950 2,563,076 Schreckengost Aug. 7, 1951 FOREIGNPATENTS 370,172 Great Britain Apr. 7, 1932 998,629 France Sept. 26, 1951

